The first of this semester’s Jazz Recital Series performances took place Tuesday afternoon. The Peter Schlamb Vibraphone Trio played a 50 minute set in the Carlsen Center Recital Hall. The performance included several original compositions as well as two jazz standards.

Doreen Maronde used to work at the college as the Assistant Dean of Arts and Humanities. Maronde is currently volunteering her time to work on the Ruel Joyce and Jazz Recital Series, which are both entering their 28th year. Maronde talked about the inception of those two series.

“When I started out 28 years ago, we did what we call the Ruel Joyce Series and it was mostly classical and I bookended the 10 concerts with jazz,” Maronde said. “That was when we built the Carlsen Center. The guy who was in charge of scheduling stuff said, ‘What are we going to do in the Recital Hall?’ and I had worked with musicians here locally before and I said, ‘I know. Let’s have a recital series.’”

Maronde also discussed her connection with the Kansas City jazz scene.

“I know these guys. I’m out all the the time listening to them wherever they’re playing. We have some of the finest musicians in this town of any town, frankly, and they play here for us for free,” Maronde said.

Vibraphonist and band leader Peter Schlamb was joined by DeAndre Manning on bass and Ryan Lee on drums. Schlamb has been performing in the area for several years and discussed some of his musical background.

“I starting playing piano when I was four and then I started playing the vibraphone when I was 10, so I’ve been doing it as long as I can remember. I do a lot of different freelancing with jazz, so I do my own groups as well as playing in other people’s’ bands. Typically it’s like a small jazz combo, between three and six people.”

Phil Franklin, Science Professor, has enjoyed stopping in during his lunch breaks over the last 10 years to enjoy the short performances.

“I’m a fan of jazz music in general, so I just like to come out and check out the different groups Doreen has booked for the series,” Franklin said. “She does a wonderful job; a lot of variety and a lot of interesting combinations of people.”

Both the Ruel Joyce classical series and the Jazz Series continue through early November. A complete schedule is available on the college’s website.

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